Developer to pay up to $50K for traffic study

LAKE FOREST – Baldwin and Sons, a developer proposing to put 900 more homes into Portola Hills, can expect to pay as much as $50,000 for an independent traffic study being conducted for the site.

The City Council this week amended a traffic study contract with Stantec Consulting that will now not exceed $50,000.In September the council approved a contract for a maximum of $25,000. But city said more work and time spent at the site will be needed to address concerns from residents who live in the area and oppose the new development. So far data collection has cost $15,000, with more on-site meetings and review needed, according to city staff.

The study, under review in Portola Hills as part of a development agreement for the Baldwin-proposed Portola Center home development, is looking at traffic patterns on Saddleback and Glenn Ranch roads, cut-through traffic and school impacts in the existing community. Foust is studying what traffic from the new development could mean for the community.

Residents have complained of traffic issues that already disrupt the flow of vehicles, cause congestion and pose safety hazards. One community workshop was held in September. At least two more were planned under the existing development but now city staff expects that even more will be needed.The next meeting will be scheduled some time in November.